The narration was clear and concise. No complaints there. The narrator didn’t bring too much personality to the characters but it was still easy to follow. As for the story, whew. What a mess (not derogatory). Oh BROTHER. This was obviously over the top and heavy on the dramatics but it was still a good time. Lean into the unbelievable and enjoy the popcorn thriller for what it is and you will have a good time. I didn’t connect much with the characters but I liked the story overall regardless.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was hooked at the very beginning of the book. The premise sounded really good.

The build up and investigation into what happened to the wife was written well. I do think that the conclusion was not as wild as I thought it would be based on the slow build up.

I was able to guess most of what actually happed on that night in specific.

The narration was good. I would definitely listen to more by them. I wish there would have been more suspense and drama based on the storyline.

I hadn't heard of this book until I saw it listed in an email from a publisher offering an audiobook for review. I decided to give it a go, and while familiar in structure, it kept me engaged with a few unexpected twists.

The book begins with the shocking discovery of Eva Reid's lifeless body in her home. Eva was born with a condition that prevented her from ever feeling physical pain. Her rare condition has always drawn intrigue—both scientific and personal. Her husband, Dr. Nate Reid, is a celebrated scientist who built his career studying pain, including Eva's condition.

Anna Tate is a journalist drawn to the case. Anna has a troubled past, which helps drive her tenacious personality, and she becomes determined to find out if Eva truly overdosed or if something else was at play. When Anna is pegged to help pen Nate's biography, she gets a front-row seat and access to their home - a home that may hold the answers she seeks. Anna places herself into the Reid household, peeling back layers of their relationship and uncovering secrets that cast doubt on Nate's intentions and Eva's death. Nate's clinical fascination with Eva, combined with the power dynamics of their marriage, raises red flags that Anna can't ignore. But the more time she spends with Nate, the more she can't help but feel drawn to him - which may be her downfall.

Anna's character is especially intriguing. While Eva couldn't feel physical pain, Anna discovered that the woman definitely had a lot of emotional pain she carried with her - and Anna understands all too well what carrying a lifetime of emotional baggage can do to you. A survivor of her own traumas, she's relentless in her pursuit of the truth, though she is not without her flaws. Her obsession with Eva's seemingly "perfect" existence creates a compelling tension throughout the story.

While many of the characters are well-drawn, some of the supporting cast - particularly the character of Nate - feel more like plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. Nate's character hit every beat you would expect, and I found him to be somewhat dull.

While the premise is fascinating and the character dynamics compelling, the mystery itself unfolds in a somewhat predictable manner. Cook employs many familiar tropes of the domestic thriller genre: the brilliant yet sinister husband, the "perfect" wife with a hidden darkness, and the obsessive outsider determined to uncover the truth. However, Cook manages to inject enough surprises to keep the reader guessing, particularly in the book's second half. The revelations, while not groundbreaking, are satisfying and well-paced.
What really grabbed me was the novel's exploration of pain - not just as a physical sensation but as an emotional and psychological force. Eva's inability to feel pain is juxtaposed with Anna's inability to escape it, creating a powerful contrast.

Alix Dunmore narrates the audiobook, and she did a great job! Her performance elevates the material, bringing nuance and vitality to the characters. Her portrayal of Anna is particularly strong, capturing the journalist’s mix of determination, vulnerability, and bitterness. Dunmore’s narration enhances the tension in key moments, adding to the atmosphere and tension.

If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers with layered protagonists and enjoy pondering the complexities of human nature, You Can’t Hurt Me is a solid choice. While it may not redefine the genre, its engaging premise, unexpected twists, and excellent audiobook narration make it a worthwhile addition to your reading list.

I am so grateful to @htp_hive @htpbooks & @harlequin_audio @netgalley for 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑪𝑨𝑵'𝑻 𝑯𝑼𝑹𝑻 𝑴𝑬 𝒃𝒚 𝑬𝒎𝒎𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒌 & 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒙 𝑫𝒖𝒏𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆.

I found the idea of a woman who can feel no pain fascinating. Then to find out that she is only posthumously in the story piqued my interest further. Eva's husband, Nate is a researcher specifically on pain. He wants to write a book about Eva and needs the help of a ghostwriter, which Anna works her way into with her journalistic skills. Secrets begin to rise to the surface about the truth of Eva and Nate, and Anna's too.

Beginning this in written form was helpful with some of the epistolary chapters, and then heading to work and having the audio keep me company was fabulous, finally to return home and finish the final chapters with the quick turn of the page was perfect. I love that I can stay in a story all day!

I enjoyed some of the deeper probing of the questions of the value of pain in this book. While none of us wish for it or run to it, pain is an essential human experience in all its physical and emotional forms. To not feel it is to lack something that goes deeper. I did appreciate this viewpoint, though I will still do my best to avoid pain!

This is a relatively quick story at just under 300 pages and gives a bit of thought inside of this novel. I very much appreciated the way the book started and ended. Very clever structuring! It's worth a quick refresh of the 1st chapter after the epilogue to smirk a bit.

For some reason I just couldn't get into this psychological thriller. I was intrigued by the premise of a patient who has a condition in which she feels no pain and ends up marrying her psychologist only to end up mysteriously dead. Then later another doctor becomes obsessed with her case and in the course of research uncovers some shocking secrets. Unfortunately I wasn't a fan of the narrator and she kind of put me off the whole story causing me to DNF early on. I would still recommend this book for fans of The silent patient but for some reason it was a miss for me. Reading in print might be a better alternative some time in the future. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.